Cricket

By the books: How low Australia sank in Gqeberha

By Scott Bailey

Oct 22, 2026

First-Test hero Matt Renshaw had two failures in Gqeberha as Australia struggled badly with the bat. -AP

WHERE AUSTRALIA'S NIGHTMARE FOURTH DAY STOOD IN THE RECORD BOOKS

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* Australia's total of 99 was their fourth-lowest against South Africa, and the team's worst total against any opponent since March 2023.

* The total was also their lowest first-innings score since being skittled for 85 by South Africa in Hobart almost 10 years ago, a capitulation that prompted six changes.

* Australia were asked to follow on for the first time since January 2019. It was also just the third time since 1988.

* The first-innings deficit of 326 runs is Australia's largest since Trent Bridge at the 2015 Ashes, and the biggest when bowling first since 1984.

* Nic Maddinson's average of 10.37 is the second-lowest in history for an Australian top-six batter, not including nightwatchmen, with a minimum of five innings.

* Australia's demise came after South Africa recovered from 6-110 to 9-425 declared. That is the most Australia have conceded after having a team six-down since 2008.

* Marco Jansen (5-33) became the first player since Wasim Akram in 1990 to take a five-wicket haul and hit 85 or more in a Test against Australia.